BackgroundUse of a validated risk-assessment tool to identify individuals at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes is currently recommended. It is under-reported, however, whether a different risk tool alters the predicted risk of an individual.

BackgroundValidated risk equations are currently recommended to assess individuals to determine those at 'high risk' of cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, there is no longer a risk 'equation of choice'. AimThis study examined the differences between four commonly-used CVD risk equations. Design and settingCross-sectional analysis of individuals who participated in a workplace-based risk assessment in Carmarthenshire, south Wales. MethodAnalysis of 790 individuals (474 females, 316 males) with no prior diagnosis of CVD or diabetes. Ten-year CVD risk was predicted by entering the relevant variables into the QRISK2, Framingham Lipids, Framingham BMI, and JBS2 risk equations. ResultsThe Framingham BMI and JBS2 risk equations predicted a higher absolute risk than the QRISK2 and Framingham Lipids equations, and CVD risk increased concomitantly with age irrespective of which risk equation was adopted. Only a small proportion of females (0-2.1%) were predicted to be at high risk of developing CVD using any of the risk algorithms. The proportion of males predicted at high risk ranged from 5.4% (QRISK2) to 20.3% (JBS2). After age stratification, few differences between isolated risk factors were observed in males, although a greater proportion of males aged ≥50 years were predicted to be at 'high risk' independent of risk equation used. ConclusionsDifferent risk equations can influence the predicted 10-year CVD risk of individuals. More males were predicted at 'high risk' using the JBS2 or Framingham BMI equations. Consideration should also be given to the number of isolated risk factors, especially in younger adults when evaluating CVD risk.

This study investigated the relationships of self-reported physical activity levels and cardiorespiratory fitness in 81 males to assess which measurement is the greatest indicator of cardiometabolic risk. Physical activity levels were determined by the General Practice Physical Activity Questionnaire tool and cardiorespiratory fitness assessed using the Chester Step Test. Cardiovascular disease risk was estimated using the QRISK2, Framingham Lipids, Framingham body mass index and Joint British Societies' Guidelines-2 equations, and type 2 diabetes mellitus risk calculated using QDiabetes, Leicester Risk Assessment, Finnish Diabetes Risk Score and Cambridge Risk Score models. Categorising employees by cardiorespiratory fitness categories ('Excellent/Good' vs 'Average/Below Average') identified more differences in cardiometabolic risk factor (body mass index, waist circumference, total cholesterol, total cholesterol:high-density lipoprotein ratio, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, HbA 1c ) scores than physical activity (waist circumference only). Cardiorespiratory fitness levels also demonstrated differences in all four type 2 diabetes mellitus risk prediction models and both the QRISK2 and Joint British Societies' Guidelines-2 cardiovascular disease equations. Furthermore, significant negative correlations (p < 0.001) were observed between individual cardiorespiratory fitness values and estimated risk in all prediction models. In conclusion, from this preliminary observational study, cardiorespiratory fitness levels reveal a greater number of associations with markers of cardiovascular disease or type 2 diabetes mellitus compared to physical activity determined by the General Practice Physical Activity Questionnaire tool.

The Medical Research Council recommends strong theoretical underpinning in the design and evaluation of lifestyle intervention programmes (LIPs). This qualitative study aimed to use Basic Needs Theory (BNT) as a framework to explore participants’ perspectives on a workplace dietitian‐led LIP. Specifically, experiences with LIP engagement and initiation and maintenance of behaviour change were evaluated. Fifteen semi‐structured face‐to‐face interviews were conducted with participants who had previously completed a workplace cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes prevention programme, which involved advice and motivational support with making dietary and lifestyle changes. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. To evaluate the narrative, interpretative phenomenological analyses were used with BNT as the theoretical framework. A total of 12 themes were identified in relation to the three concepts of BNT – autonomy, competence and relatedness – and organised into three domains: intervention engagement, behaviour change initiation and behaviour change maintenance. Line manager and colleague support to attend was reported to have a strong influence on intervention engagement, and the importance of dietitian and peer guidance in initiating behaviour changes was highlighted. Differences between participants who maintained behavioural changes compared to those who relapsed included autonomously seeking support (relatedness) through family, friends, healthcare professionals and commercial slimming organisations. BNT provided an insightful theoretical framework to evaluate factors that underpinned the effectiveness of a dietitian‐led cardiovascular and type 2 diabetes prevention LIP. Attendance and retention in workplace LIPs can depend on participants’ managerial and colleague support, so recruitment processes should consider targeting managers in marketing and promotional activities. Workplace LIPs may increase the likelihood of behaviour change maintenance by including methods that foster longer term participant relatedness and emotional support.

The frequency dependence of total respiratory impedance during spontaneous breathing was measured repeatedly in 16 children (3--5 yr old) over a 3-mo period using forced random noise and spectral analysis. Total respiratory resistance, compliance, and inertance, which were calculated fromthe impedance data using regression analysis with a second-order model, had overall mean values +/- SD of 5.61 +/- 0.49 cmH2O.l-1.s, 403 +/- 1.04 ml.cmH2O-1, and 0.0120 +/- 0.0024 cmH2O.l-1.s2, respectively. Linear regression analysis showed that resistance and compliance correlated with either height or forced vital capacity with r values in the range 0.77--0.89. Analysis of measurement variability suggested that resistance measurements had, on the average, a coefficient of variation of 15%; corresponding values for compliance and inertance measurements were 25%.